Injector



Ju'ne28, was. v KLEI 2,122,177

INJECTOR Filed May 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l RECHARGING DISCHARGING u'r COMPLETED. (ZOMPLETED.

June 28, 1938. v. G. KLEIN 2,

INJECTOR Filed May 19, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 28, 1938 UNITED STATES INJECTOR Victor G. Klein,

St. Louis, M0,, asslgnor to Lincoln Engineering Companm-"St. Louis, Mo., a

corporation of Missouri Application May 19, 1937, Seriai'No. 143,401

7 Claims.

This invention relates to injectors, and with regard to certain more specific features, to injectors for pressure lubricating apparatus and the like.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of an injector for use in lubricating systems and the like such as described in the United States patent application of Lutwin C. Rotter, Serial No. 137,555, filed April 1'7, 1937 which requires less pressure for its operation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is i1- lustrated one of various possible embodiments ofv the invention,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view showing one type of system to which the invention applies;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section showing the injector in charged position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the injector in discharged position; and,

Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing an alternative form of injector in charged position.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numeral I a container for lubricant. Associated with the lower and outlet end of the container l is a pump 3 which withdraws lubricant from the container I and discharges it to a line 5. In the line 5 is a strainer 1. Said line 5 also includes a relief valve 9 having a bypass line H to the container 1. The details and functions of the above parts have been set forth in said application of Lutwin C. Rotter.

Communicating with the line 5 are injectors 13. The communications are by way of short branch lines 15. The injectors receive lubricant from the line 5 by way of the branch lines 15. Each injector l3 has its outlet 11 connected with a suitable bearing or bearings 19 which are to be lubricated. All of the above items are shown diagrammatically in Fig. l for the purpose of showing the use of the specific injector shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

As shown in said application of Lutwin C.

Rotter, the pump 3 is operated manually or autoy,

matically, as desired, and sends lubricant under pressure through the line 5. This applies pressure to the injectors via the branch lines 15. The object of the injectors I3 is to permit of forcing measured charges from them to the bearings 19 simply by operating the pump and without the necessity for an operation of a predetermined interval of time.

Referring now more particularly to Figs..2 and 3, the inlet 5 will be seen to be in communication with the body portion 2 I. This body portion 2i carries a valve passage 23 in which is a valve 25. The valve'25 has a head 21 which is exposed at its end to the pressure entering the connection 15. The valve also has a peripheral recess 29.

A spring 30 normally presses the valve to what will be called a re-charging position (shown in Fig. 2). An alternate or discharging position is shown in Fig. 3. The valve carries an indicator stem 3i which extends through an opening in a cap 33, the latter also serving to hold in place the' spring 30.

Sidewardly of the valve, the body 2| carries a cylindric chamber 35 which has a clearance 31 communicating with the valve cylinder 23 by means of a port or passage 39. Centrally and axially of the'cylinder 35 is held a stationary cylinder M which forms a communicating passage 43. In cylinder 35 and slidably mounted upon the pipe 4| is a piston 45. The piston 45 is packed both with respect to the pipe 41 and the cylinder 35. A spring 41 normally forces the piston 45 toward the clearance 31.

The piston is one example of means for separating or dividing the chamber 35 into two chambers, the sizes of which may be varied by operation of the apparatus. For example, a diaphragm may be used in lieu of piston 45.

It is to be understood that the pipe 4| is only one example of means whereby the passage 49 may be connected with the spring-side of the piston 45. For example, this may be done by means of a pipe on the outside of the body 35.

It is also to be understood that other means besides the spring 41 may be used for driving the piston 45 to transfer fluid from one, side thereof to the other. For example, gravity or magnetic means may be employed. Other mechanical equivalents may also be thought of From the drawings it will be seen that the passage 43, at one (the left) end, connects with the space on the one side (left side) of the piston 45, and at its other end connects with said valve cylinder 23 by means of a port 49. A port 5| connects the valve cylinder 23 with the outlet l1.

The operation of the injector is as follows:

Starting with the parts in recharging position as shown in Fig. 2, it may be assumed that there is no pressure in the line l5. Lubricant has been forced-from the right side of the piston 45 to its left side by reason of the pressure of spring 41, this passage being through passage 39, recess 29, passage 49 and tube 43.

Upon operating the pump 3, pressure is engendered in said line 15 and, as illustrated in Fig. 3, this pressure exerted upon the head 21 forces the valve 25 up against spring 80. This action causes the head 27 to uncover the port 39 and at the same time causes the recess 29 to connect ports 49 and BI. The charge of lubricant which theretofore has become located on the left side of the piston 45 is now forced through the tube 88, passages 49, 29, SI and I1, thus lubricating the associated bearing or bearings. This is due to fluid pressure on the right side of the piston 65 which enters by way of passage 89.

After a time, the charge is emptied, and inasmuch as the space on the right of piston at no longer expands, the pressure increases (due to continued pump operation) until the relief valve 9 becomes operative to relieve pressure through the bypass ii and back to the container i. The relief of pressure is a signal to the operator to cease pumping, inasmuch as the measured charge has been delivered, or, as shown in said application, automatic means may be employed for operating and turning off the pump.

Hence, whenever the pump ceases to operate, the pressure in the inlet i drops to a point where the valve 25) is movedby the spring 30 to the position of Fig. 2. This causes the port 69 to be cut off from port 55 (Fig. 2) and at the same time causes the underside of the piston 65 to be connected with the upper side thereof byway of passages 39, 29, t9 and 53. Hence, under action of the spring #37, the piston 65 will be driven down from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby recharging lubricant which was on the right side of the piston to the left side. No substantial amount of lubricant is forced back into the line i 5, because at this time, and as shown in said application of Lutwin C. Rotter, the line is closed off from its source. Thus it will be seen that when the pump ceases to operate, the spring 67, in association with the piston 55-, causes an automatic recharging of the measured charge ready for delivery when the pump is next operated.

The counterbore 37 is not in the nature of a difierential cylinder, because no portion of the piston is operated therein. This counterbore 3? is only to insure quick application of themessure from the port 39 over the entire periphery of the piston 37.

It should be understood that the operation of the spring 41 is merely to transfer fluid into .delivery position, and that the spring has nothing to do with the direct efiectuation of the outlet pressure. The outlet pressure is engendered merely by the transfer of pressure from one side of the piston $5 to the other side.

Among the distinguishing features of the present injector over that shown in said application of Lutwin C. Rotter is the fact that no dif ferential piston is used with its small face exposed to incoming pressure and its large face efiecting outgoing pressure.

By having equal areas on opposite sides of the piston, a greater outlet pressure may be obtained with a given pressure.

In said Rotter application the applied pressure is over a piston area which is less than the area which transmits pressure to the delivered fluid. Thus in that case, for a given outlet pressure, a higher inlet unit pressure is necessary.

It is not to be understood that the present apparatus could not be used with a differential piston in which the diiferential areas are oppositely disposed from that shown in said application of Lutwin C. Rotter. For example, a

piston 45 might be constructed with an area presented to inlet pressure which is larger than the area presented to outlet pressure, provided suitable volume equalizing means be employed on the small side of the piston. This point is mentioned in order that it may be clear that the broader claims herein are intended to cover such a construction.

Furthermore, at Fig. 4 such a construction is shown. In Fig. 4, like numerals designate like parts. In this case the piston 45 is of the difi'erential type having a large end 6| sliding in a large part 65 of the cylinder 35, and a small end 63 sliding in a smaller part 61 of the cylinder 35. Thus a given pressure at the inlet l5 eflects a higher pressure in the outlet H, the operation being otherwise similar to that above described.

But, inasmuch as in re-charging, the rate of increase of the volume of the cylindric portion 671 is smaller than the rate of decrease of volume of the cylindric portion 65, a by-pass 69 is placed between the port 39 and the inlet i5. This bypass has a check valve ll therein which opens under unbalanced pressure directed toward the inlet. Prongs '73 at the inlet prevent the head 2? of the valve from covering the by-pass port 69. Thus any excess of fluid from the cylindric portion 65 which cannot be accommodated by the cylindric portion 61 (upon re-charging) is pushed back into the inlet l5 which, at this time, is at a low pressure. When the inlet is comes back up to a high pressure for delivery purposes, the check valve ii remains closed and prevents a. direct flow to the outlet.-

Another difference shown in Fig. 4 over the structure shown in the other figures is the fact that the extension 3i does not pass through the cap 33. An opening 32 is therefore provided for permitting air to breathe from behind the valve 25. It will be understood that in the structure of Figs. 2 and 3 the corresponding breathing takes place between the clearance of the stem 3! and its bearing in the cap 33.

Another advantage of the present invention over that .of the said Rotter invention, so far as the injector is concerned, is that the shorter piston may be used, thus reducing frictional resisting eflects. Furthermore, the apparatus may be more economically manufactured, being of simpler form- It will be understood that the present injector may be used in any of the systems such as described in said application of Lutwin C. Rotter, or in other suitable systems.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

' I claim:

1. An injector comprising a body having an inlet for receiving fluid under pressure and having an outlet for delivering fluid under pressure and a chamber, a movable dividing means in the chamber having areas presented to pressure on opposite sides thereof, said body including a port between said inlet and one side of the dividing means and a port communicating between the outlet and the other side of the dividing means,

valve means traversing said ports and normally biased to one position in which both of said ports are cut off from the inlet and outlet, said valve means presenting an area to pressure of the inlet whereby when said pressure rises the valve means is moved to a position to connect said ports respectively to the inlet and outlet.

2. An injector comprising a body having an inlet for receiving fluid under pressure and an outlet for delivering fluid under pressure and a chamber, a movable dividing means in the chamber having areas presented to pressure on opposite sides thereof, said body including a port.

between said inlet and one side of the dividing means and a port communicating between the outlet and the other side of the dividing means, valve means traversing said ports and normally biased to one position in which said ports are cut oif from the inlet and outlet respectively, said valve means presenting an area to pressure at the inlet whereby, when said pressure rises, the valve means is moved to a position to connect said ports respectively to the inlet and outlet, said valve means in its biased position forming a communication between said ports to connect one side of the dividing means with the other side thereof.

3. An injector comprising a body having an inlet for receiving fluid under pressure and having an outlet for delivering fluid under pressure and a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder having equal areas presented to pressure on opposite sides thereof, said body including a port between said inlet and one side of the piston and a port communicating between the outlet and the other side of the piston, valve means traversing said ports and normally biased to one position in which said ports are cut oil from the inlet and outlet respectively, said to pressure at the inlet whereby, when said pressure rises, the valve means is moved to a position to connect said ports respectively to the inlet and outlet, said valve means in its biased position forming a communication between said ports to connect one side of the piston with the other side thereof.

4. A lubricant injector comprising a body having an inlet for receiving lubricant under pressure and having an outlet for delivering lubricant under pressure and a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder having areas presented to pressure on opposite sides thereof, said body including a port between said inlet and one side of the piston and a port communicating between the outlet and the other side of the piston, valve means traversing said ports and normally biased to one position in which said ports are cut oil. from the inlet and outlet respectively, said valve means presenting an area to pressure at the inlet whereby, when said pressure rises, the valve means is moved to a position to connect said ports respectively to the inlet and outlet, said valve means in biased position forming a communication between said ports to connect one side of the piston with the other side thereof, and a spring biasing said piston normally to force fluid from said one side thereof to said other side when said valve means is biased for the purpose.

5. A lubricant injector comprising a body having an inlet for receiving lubricant under pressure and having an outlet for delivering lubricant under pressure and a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder having areas presented to pressure valve means presenting an area on opposite sides thereof, said body including a port between said inlet and one side of the piston and a port communicating between the outlet and the other side of the piston, valve means traversing said ports and normally biased to one position in which said ports are cut ofi from the inlet and outlet respectively, said valve means presenting an area to pressure at the inlet whereby, when said pressure rises, the valve means is moved to a position to connect said ports respectively to the inlet and outlet, said valve means in its biased position forming a communication between said ports to connect one side of the piston with the other side thereof, and a spring biasing said piston normally to force fluid from said one side thereof to said other side when said valve means is biased for the purpose, said piston having an area presented to pressure from said inlet which is at least as large as its area presented to pressure at said outlet.

6. A lubricant injector comprising a body having an inlet for receiving lubricant under pressure and having an outlet for delivering lubricant under pressure and a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder having areas presented to pressure on opposite sides thereof, said body including a port between said inlet and one side of the piston and a port communicating between the outlet and the other side of the piston, valve means traversing said ports and normally biased to one position in which said ports are cut off from the inlet and outlet respectively, said valve means presenting an area to pressure at the inlet whereby, when said pressure rises, the valve means is moved to a position to connect said ports respectively to the inlet and outlet, said valve means in its biased position forming a communication between said ports to connect one side of the piston with the other side thereof, and a.

spring biasing said piston normally to force fluid from said one side thereof to said other side when said valve means is biased for the purpose, said piston having an area presented to pressure from said inlet which is larger than its area presented to pressure at said outlet, and relief means communicating between said larger area of the piston and said inlet.

7. An injector comprising a body having an inlet for receivingfluid under pressure and having an outlet for delivering fluid under pressure and a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder having an area presented to pressure at the inlet which is greater than its area presented to pressure at the outlet, said body including a port between said inlet and one side of the piston and a port communicating between the outlet and-the other side of the piston, valve means traversing said ports and normally biased to one position in which said ports are cut off from the inlet and outlet respectively, said valve means presenting an area to pressure at the inlet whereby, when said pressure rises, the valve means is moved to a position to connect said ports respectively to the inlet and outlet, said valve means in its biased-position forming a communication between said ports to connect one side of the piston with the other side thereof, and relief means communicating between said greater area of the piston and said inlet, said relief means comprisinlg i:a check valve opening with flow toward the in e VICTOR G. KLEIN; 

